(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Allison Schaefers. The labor union Unite Here Local 5 is challenging the city Department of Planning and Permitting’s decision to approve a special district permit for the controversial Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach project.
Local 5 workers at Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center reached a tentative agreement with the company on Friday, July 15th.
The new deal addresses concerns about staffing and comes with an 8% increase in pay over three years, increased sick leave benefits, higher night shift premiums and a fairer absenteeism policy to name a few of the improvements.
It also resolved some of the unfair labor practices the Union filed against the company which led to a 3-day strike, including securing back pay for workers sent home after being denied the right to wear a union shirt on casual dress days.
“We are proud of what we accomplished by being united and strong as a union. We are looking forward to starting a new a relationship with our employer that will benefit our residents and make Hale Nani the best it can be,” says Louie Bernardo, Restorative Nursing Aide.
Workers will vote to ratify the agreement on Tuesday, July 26.
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Star-Advertiser Staff. Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew workers who have been engaged in a yearlong battle for the right to decide whether to unionize earned a small victory Tuesday.
(KHON) – By Web Staff. A Honolulu-based hotel management company has been found guilty of violating federal law. The ruling addresses unfair labor practice charges filed by UNITE HERE! Local 5 union against Aqua-Aston Hospitality, which manages Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew, among others.
Honolulu (June 1, 2016) – Aqua-Aston Hospitality executives have been found guilty of violating federal law by threatening and disciplining workers at the Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew.
On May 31, 2016, Administrative Law Judge Mara-Louise Anzalon issued her decision after a 3-day trial addressing four unfair labor practice charges filed by Local 5 against Aqua-Aston. She ruled that:
“It’s been tough coming to work when management is threatening and intimidating us. Knowing that we are fighting for our rights keeps me going. I’m happy about this ruling. I hope that management will finally obey the law,” says Tino Fabro, who works in the Aston Waikiki Beach housekeeping department.
Aqua-Aston has been ordered to post notices in both hotels, informing employees that Aqua-Aston violated the National Labor Relations Act and that workers have a right to organize for a fair process to decide whether to unionize, free from intimidation and threats.
Judge Anzalon noted that Aqua-Aston’s witnesses “could not agree on a consistent version of the facts;” General Manager Mark DeMello’s testimony was “forced and rehearsed;” Ettinger’s testimony was “less than fully credible,” with “dismissive denials, sometimes accompanied by laughter…”
Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew workers have been fighting for a fair process to decide whether to unionize since February 2015. 22 unfair labor practice charges have been filed against Aqua-Aston.
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel is owned by Xenia Hotels and Resorts (NYSE:XHR), a recently spun-off affiliate of Inland American Real Estate Trust Inc.
Local 5 represents approximately 11,000 workers throughout Hawaii who work in the hospitality, health care and food service industries and is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international union that represents over 250,000 workers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.unitehere5.org.
# # #
(Hawaii Public Radio) – By Wayne Yoshioka. Union workers ended their 3-day strike today at a Long-Term-Care facility in Honolulu.